Niamh Smyth
Ceist:643. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a surgery appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3061/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (643)
Freagraí scríofa
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The HSE advise that they are very cognisant of the impact that a change in admission for surgery has on patients, and as such every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures and operations. The HSE further advise that patients are scheduled based on clinical need, but that unfortunately surgery may be deferred due to consultants needing to prioritise emergency cases. The decision to delay admission is not undertaken lightly and when such a decision is made, it is based on the safe delivery of care to all patients.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (644)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:644. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an occupational therapy appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3064/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Patient Data
Ceisteanna (645)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:645. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which a diagnosis has been reached in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3085/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service delivery matter, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.
Autism Support Services
Ceisteanna (646)
Mary Butler
Ceist:646. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) is likely to receive an appointment for further ASD supports such as speech and language and occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3089/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (647)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:647. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); if the case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3090/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (648, 888)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:648. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3110/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:888. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3817/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 648 and 888 together.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Card Drugs Availability
Ceisteanna (649)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:649. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had their entitlement to medication under the GMS reduced on their diagnoses for Parkinson’s disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3111/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Home Care Packages Provision
Ceisteanna (650)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:650. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when an enhanced home care package will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3140/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Disability Services Provision
Ceisteanna (651)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:651. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if this inquiry can be referenced as an application for services respite and otherwise by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (652)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:652. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3142/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
General Practitioner Contracts
Ceisteanna (653)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:653. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the extra allowances available to general practitioners who operate in Gaeltacht areas or in island communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3152/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Agreement reached in 2019 on GP Contractual Reforms and Service Development will see an increase in expenditure on GP services of €210 million by 2023, providing for significant increases in capitation fees for all participating GPs, and the introduction of new fees and subsidies for additional services such as the chronic disease management programme.
The Agreement also includes measures aimed specifically at rural GPs, including those in Gaeltacht and Island areas, as well as practices in urban areas of deprivation. As part of this package, the financial allowance available to eligible GP practices for the Rural Practice Support Framework has been increased by 10% from this year to a maximum of €22,000.
Additionally, the Agreement provides for a phased 28% increase in fees from 2020-2022 for dispensing doctors, GPs in rural areas that dispense medicines directly to patients who do not live within a reasonable distance of a retail pharmacy.
HSE Agency Staff
Ceisteanna (654)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:654. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the HSE to curtail physiotherapy and occupational therapy services in County Mayo by the cancelling of agency contracts on 28 February 2020 despite the length of current waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3153/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Drug Treatment Programmes
Ceisteanna (655)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:655. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if an individual reimbursement will be provided for the treatment of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3157/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (656)
Matt Shanahan
Ceist:656. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to resource the 60 vacant beds in the new Dunmore wing of University Hospital Waterford in view of the possible arrival of Covid-19 in the south-east (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3159/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Hospital Groups
Ceisteanna (657)
Matt Shanahan
Ceist:657. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the reason a South-West Hospital Group board position has remained vacant since April 2019; the reason an eminently qualified retired County Waterford medical consultant proposed to him for the position in May 2019 has not been contacted regarding filling the vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3160/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2017, I approved a process whereby Hospital Group Board vacancies would be publicly advertised on the State Boards portal (www.stateboards.ie) operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), in line with DPER Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.
Members of the South South West Hospital Group Board were selected through this process.
As you are aware, the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare Sláintecare Report (2017) recommended the alignment of hospital and community health and social care services into cohesive geographical regions to facilitate population-based resource allocation and governance to enable integrated care.
The announcement, in 2019, of six new regional health areas is the first step in organising person-centred health and social care services focussed on the needs of populations within specific regions. The Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office is working with all hospital groups and CHOs to inform the development of detailed proposals in this regard.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (658)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:658. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health the opening hours and days for the children's urgent care centre at Connolly Hospital; if it was envisaged that it would open longer than this; the reason this is not the case; the plans in place for same to open for longer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3163/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (659)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:659. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no on-site laboratory testing for the children's urgent care centre at Connolly Hospital; his views on whether sending all tests to Temple Street Children's University Hospital is a safe and efficient provision of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3164/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (660)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:660. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health his plans for the provision of additional step-down bed facilities at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3165/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (661)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:661. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Health his plans to include the provision of inpatient and outpatient private healthcare in the new national children's hospital or its satellite centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3166/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As part of the National Contract for Consultants negotiated in 2008, some consultants holding specific contracts are entitled to engage in private outpatient practice outside of their public commitment and this commitment must be conducted on site, that is, in the hospital they are contracted with. As a result, private outpatient clinics may be held on public hospital campuses but these clinics must be held outside contracted hours. Private clinics are currently located on the grounds of each the existing three children’s hospitals.
The new children's hospital is obliged to provide such facilities for consultants holding such contracts. Accordingly, while the vast majority of services in the new children’s hospital will be public services, within the new hospital an area has been planned which carries the designation of "private clinic". The private outpatient clinic at the new children’s hospital represents circa 0.25% of the clinical space within the new children’s hospital. There are a total of 129 outpatient clinical exam rooms primarily accessed off the main concourse on the ground and lower ground floor of the new children’s hospital, each of which are identical in design and fit out. There are 8 clinical exam rooms in the private outpatient clinic.
Ultimately, the proposal is for consultants to pay a fee for use of private rooms and other operational costs. The proposed level of fee has not been determined yet.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces
Ceisteanna (662)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:662. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding for drug taskforces in Dublin was almost 9% lower in 2019 than in 2010; if a commitment will be made to increase annually over a 10-year period, the funding for local drug and alcohol taskforces until it is back to 2008 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3173/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in local communities. They ensure that a coordinated approach is taken across all sectors to address substance misuse based on the identified needs and priorities in their areas.
The Department of Health and the HSE provide total annual funding of €28m to task forces for local initiatives to tackle drug and alcohol use and misuse, in line with the National Drugs Strategy. Task forces use this funding to support over 280 community projects throughout the country.
The overall allocation to task forces was reduced between 2011 and 2013 due to the fiscal crisis. Since 2014, funding provided to task forces has remained constant.
In 2019, the Department provided additional funding of €1m to support the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy. Budget 2020 provided for the continuation of this additional €1m in 2020.
In 2019, €480,000 of this funding provided an additional €20,000 for each of the 24 task forces, with €10,000 recurring on a permanent annual basis. The remaining funding is being provided for 14 new strategic drug and alcohol initiatives. These initiatives will each receive funding of €190,000 over 36 months until mid 2022.
The strategic initiatives reflect priorities agreed between the community health organisations and the task forces to ensure that resources are targeted at groups most in need.
Measuring the overall effectiveness of the response to the drug problem is an important objective of drug policy. Resources should be directed towards interventions and strategies which are most likely to lead to a reduction in problem substance use and an improvement in public health, safety and well-being.
The allocation of resources for task forces is decided on an annual basis as part of the Estimates process. The provision of additional funding is a matter for consideration in the 2021 Budget.